Dear Editor,

Fast on the heels of the revelations about Mannat, Phelps and Phillips, the PNP again went on the attack over the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme. We all know how politics permeates the Jamaican society, but simply put, is either party interested in the welfare of the average Jamaican?

The hypocrisy is rife, but surely not startling. We know how politics operates in the Jamaican society, so anything to benefit the average Jamaican is seen as illegal and vote buying. The sad truth is, wherever you work, worship or do business in Jamaica, chances are it is close to being 100 per cent influenced by politics.

That is the truth of how we live in Jamaica. Yet, somehow, we cannot allow ourselves to do the right thing by the people who help us, take care of us and help make us comfortable. It makes you wonder why. How is it that we can live side by side with each other, share the misery, and not care enough to do anything to change it? Who benefits from this ugly status quo?

It is certainly not the average Jamaican citizen. Every time something comes around to bring some relief to the Jamaican people, either party seeks to tear it down. In doing so, negative pressure is brought to bear on the donors and the people, thus weakening Jamaica’s ability to benefit from further assistance. The average Jamaican does not have access to a financial or social safety net that protects a politician or affiliates. So in this hourly power struggle between both political parties, the average citizen continues to feel despair, demands justice and is left to starve.

It is not the average man who rants against anything positive, instead the role of attack dog is fallen to politicians who claim to be patriots or defenders of people’s rights. So the party’s interest continues to benefit from the people’s misery, and they use pundits, apologists and opportunistic members to keep the status quo going.

What is fascinating is how they then turn Jamaicans most hurt by this system against one another. Jamaican citizens are huge losers with this dysfunctional system. But we are never encouraged to ask how we got here or how we can fix it. Instead we are fed daily rhetoric about who is to be blamed for crime, crowded schools and hospitals, and who creates more jobs.

After hearing this garbage day after day, with no rational or independent voice able to get the same airtime, eventually Jamaicans begin to believe. Good people, with no evil intent, begin to attack each other and never ask who profits from their madness, or how we can fix the problem.

There are obvious patterns at work in Jamaica’s politics. When workers demand to be paid fairly, whichever ruling party uses the public to decry them. When a scandal hits either party and it looks like it’s going to open a can of worms, the Opposition claims to be innocent of any sins. When fiscal prudence is required to encourage Jamaicans to be smarter, we are told how wicked one or the other party is. Thus, the status quo remains.

Iva Rolle

Nassau,Bahamas

iva_rolle@yahoo.com